Apple could owe you part of a class action lawsuit settlement centered around the companys voice assistant, Siri. The settlement was reached in January, and Apple agreed to set aside $95 million to pay people who allegedly had their conversations or queries recorded after unintentionally activating Siri.
Heres what you need to know about the settlement, key dates, and how to determine whether you can participate in the $95 million payout.
What is the settlement about?
Back in 2014, Apple added a Hey, Siri hotword command that, when spoken, automatically triggers Siri on a compatible Apple device to listen to what is being said. The feature was meant to be useful to users by allowing them to trigger the voice assistant without having to physically press or tap a button.
But sometimes people could trigger Siri using the Hey, Siri voice command unintentionally or accidentally. The lawsuit alleged that the resulting words or conversations Siri picked up after these unintended activations were then shared with third parties or advertisersand thus had their privacy violated.
As with nearly every class action lawsuit that it settled, Apple denied any wrongdoing. As the iPhone maker told Fast Company in January, “Apple settled this case to avoid additional litigation so we can move forward from concerns about third-party grading that we already addressed in 2019. We use Siri data to improve Siri, and we are constantly developing technologies to make Siri even more private.
Now, users who are included in the settlement can begin filing claims for their share of the $95 million.
Who is included in the Siri settlement?
Not everyone who owns an Apple device is included in the settlement. In order to be part of the settlement class, you must meet several requirements, according to the official settlement website. Those include:
You must have owned or purchased a Siri-enabled iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch, or Apple TV.
Those devices must have been owned or purchased between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024.
You must reside in the United States and/or its territories.
Your confidential or private communications must have been obtained by Apple and/or were shared with third parties as a result of an unintended Siri activation.
How do I know if I am included in the settlement?
People who are known to be included in the settlement will have received an email or postal communication saying they have been identified as a settlement member.
However, if you have not received such communication but still believe that you may be a settlement member, you can contact the settlement administrator.
How much can I get from the settlement?
The amount you received from the $95 million settlement depends on various factors. Apple agreed to pay out $95 million to settle the class action suit, but some of that $95 million will go to pay for things like attorneys fees and other costs.
Whatever is left over will be distributed to the settlement members on a pro rata basis. Claimants are allowed to submit claims for up to five devices. Payments per device will be capped at $20 each.
That means that a claimant is most likely to receive no more than $100. However, note that the settlement website says that payment amounts could increase or decrease depending on the number of claims filed. The final payment amount per device will not be known until all claims are submitted.
What should I do if I am part of the settlement?
If you are part of the settlement, you should file a claim using the claim form on the settlement website.
Keep in mind that you only have until July 2, 2025, to file a claim. Any claims are expected to be paid after the final court hearing in August 2025.
Full details of the class action settlement can be found on the settlement website here.
